Celebrating Lunar New Year Abroad?

The Lunar New Year, commonly known as the Chinese New Year, is celebrated in various ways by different cultures worldwide.

This year, the year of the Snake, official celebrations begin on January 29, 2025. Numerous festivals are expected to attract many international visitors through mid-February.

However, travelers must be aware of unique health issues in every destination, even in different areas of the same country.

Lunar New Year is an important festival observed by Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean communities. Celebrations retain traditional customs such as feasts, gift exchanges, lantern lighting, and offers to ancestors.

For example, the Penn Museum winds into the Year of the Snake with its 44th annual CultureFest on January 25, 2025.

"Over the years, our collaboration has brought the richness of Asian heritage to diverse audiences, creating opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate together," commented Holly Meng, President and CEO of the American Center for Asian Students, in a press release.

According to the U.K. Travel Health Pro reporting on January 6, 2025, when large gatherings occur, infectious diseases such as measles and respiratory infections can easily spread, quickly affecting large groups.

Additionally, the U.S. CDC says illnesses spread by mosquitoes, such as chikungunya, dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis, are common throughout Asia and countries in the Pacific, so it is essential to prevent mosquito and insect bites. 

The CDC suggests that anyone attending these celebrations speak with a travel vaccine expert before boarding an airplane.